Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (V, B, Ba, Li, Sr, Cr, Ni, Al, Pb, Cd) were determined in 130 samples of different tofu types (natural, flavored, smoked, and fresh made) by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). Al was the most notable element found with the highest concentration (6.71 mg/kg ww) found in flavored tofu. Ni level (0.38 mg/kg) stands out in smoked tofu. European tofu has higher PTE levels than Chinese tofu. Organic-produced tofu has higher PTE concentrations than conventional produced tofu. A total of 200 g/day of smoked tofu confers a contribution percentage of 39.6% of its TDI (tolerable daily intake). In addition, 200 g/day of flavored tofu would mean a high Pb contribution with a 23.2% of the BMDL (benchmark dose level) set in 0.63 μg/kg bw/day to the development of nephrotoxicity. Mean consumption would not pose a risk to adults' health. Considering the obtained results, it would be advisable to establish limits for certain metals such as Pb, Al, and Ni in this type of product. Furthermore, it is recommendable to set consumer guidelines to some tofu types in order to avoid excessive intake of PTEs.The residues of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in forty-eight (48) composite fruit and vegetable samples (carrot, cucumber, tomato, and watermelon) were qualitatively and quantitatively determined using gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Safety indices such as the estimated average daily intake (EADI), cancer benchmark concentration (CBC), hazard quotient (HQ) and index (HI), and hazard ratio (HR) were also estimated. Results showed the predominance of HCH and its isomers in the fruits and vegetables as compared with the DDTs. The most predominant HCHs in all the fruits was α-HCH with mean concentrations of 2.704 ± 2.488 mg kg-1 (carrot), 1.536 ± 1.036 mg kg-1 (cucumber), 6.814 ± 2.967 mg kg-1 (tomato), and 9.241 ± 2.735 mg kg-1 (watermelon). The analysis showed that the levels of pesticide residues detected in 25 to 100% of the fruit and vegetable samples were above the UK/European Commission Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). The non-carcinogenic health risk estimates showed that only α-HCH in tomatoes and watermelon had HQ &gt; 1 which indicates the possibility of systemic health risk in children consumers. The carcinogenic health risk showed that only α-HCH and γ-HCH in children and α-HCH in adults had HR &gt; 1 for tomato and watermelon which implies the possibility of carcinogenic health risk from its consumption. It is therefore paramount to institute a policy and regulatory framework for regular monitoring of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Nigeria in order to ensure food safety for consumers and protect human health.The aim of this study was to assess probabilistic human health risk due to ethnobotanical usage of Avicennia officinalis, Porteresia coarctata and Acanthus ilicifolius. The study was conducted at the tannery outfall near Sundarban (Ramsar wetland, India) mangrove ecosystem affected by potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn). Total metal concentrations (mg kg-1) were considerably higher in the polluted rhizosphere namely, Cd (1.05-1.97), Cu (36.3-38.6), Cr (144-184), Hg (0.04-0.19), Mn (163-184), Ni (37.7-46.4), Pb (20-36.6), and Zn (97-104). Ecological risk index indicated low to moderate ecological risk in this site, whereas the ecological risk factor showed high potential ecological risk due to Cd pollution. BCR Sequential extraction of metals showed more exchangeable fraction of Cd (47-55%), Cr (9-13%), Hg (11-13%), and Pb (11-15%), at the polluted site. Mercury, though present in trace amount in sediment, showed the highest bioaccumulation in all the three plants. Among the toxic trio, Hg showed the highest bioaccumulation in A. officinalis, Cd in P. coarctata but Pb has the lowest bioaccumulation potential in all the three species. Occasional fruit consumption of A. officinalis and dermal application of leaf, bark of A. officinalis (antimicrobial), A. ilicifolius (anti-inflammatory, pain reliever when applied on wounds) indicated negligible human health risk. However, long-term consumption of P. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/bi-2493.html coarctata (wild rice variety) seeds posed health risk (THQ&gt;1) both in adults and children age groups. This study concludes that nature of ethnobotanical use and metal contamination levels of the mangrove rhizosphere can impact human health. The transfer process of potentially toxic elements from rhizosphere to plants to human body should be considered while planing pollution mitigation measures. Graphical Abstract.The COVID-19 lockdown has been reported as a "ventilator" for the reinstatement of natural resources across the globe. Hence, the present study attempts to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the water quality of River Gomti across its stretch of ~960 km through the assessment of 'Water Quality Index' (WQI). The study also highlights the potential risk of faecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 through intake of river water facing the issue of direct discharge of domestic sewage. A deterioration in the water quality was witnessed at ~69% sampling locations during the lockdown period (May 2020). Interestingly, none of the water samples during the pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown periods across the whole stretch belonged to the "excellent" category (WQI less then 25). The DO levels fell across ~69% and ~88% of the sites during the lockdown and post-lockdown periods, respectively. Moreover, there was an increase in the BOD5 levels across ~69% and 75% of the sites during lockdown and post-lockdown periods, respectively. These findings indicate that the release of sewage without or with partial treatment is a chief contributor of water pollution in the groundwater fed River Gomti. Thereby, highlighting the possible risk of faecal-oral transmission of the corona virus, and creating a major concern for the residents across its stretch. The urban sprawl and riverfront development in Lucknow city also emerge as potential causes of water quality deterioration in River Gomti, considering that the water quality at five sites within the city was under the "unfit" category regardless of the lockdown situation. Thus, the urgent need of management of domestic sewage release into the river and further research on the potential risk of faecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 have been suggested in the study.